Outlet-box-supporting means



May 1, 1928. 1,667,813

J. MORGENSTERN OUTLET BOX SUPPQRTING MEANS Filed Oct. 24, 1924 id6b q Fatented May 1, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH MORGENSTERN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

oUTLE'r-Box-sUrPoRriNG MEANS.

Application filed October 24, 1924. Serial No. 745,560.

This invention relates to supporting means for outlet boxes that are used in the elcc trical wiring of buildings; and it has for its object to provide a very simple and very cneap, yet highly etiicient supporting means for outlet boxes that is convenient of use and permits of all necessary adjustments.

in the accompanying iflrawing, Fig. 1 shows, in side elevation, an outlet box supported from joists by the invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of what is shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the box, the supporting bar being shown in dot-anddash line; and Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged sections on the lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of Fig. 2.

The outlet box 1 may be of any approved size, shape and material, the present one being preferably formed of sheet metal and comprising a circular wall 2 (provided with the usual knockouts 8) and a peripheral wall 4 which depends from the circular wall. Extending inwardly from diametrically opposed parts of the lower edge of the pe ripheral wall 4 are ears 5 through which screws 6 are threaded, the top wall 2 having apertures 7 through which the ends of the screws maybe projected. An oblong opening 8 is formed in the center of the wall 2 and it has its longitudinal axis at right angles to a straight line drawn through the axes of the apertures 7.

The improved supporting means consists of av head 10 and a bar 11, the former being preferably a casting of suitable metal, while the latter is pressed or rolled from strap metal to give it the cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 5. A bar thus formed has the advantages of being light and cheap and at the same time very stiff and substantial. The head 10 comprises an enlargement 12 from which depends a boss 13 and from which rises a loop or eye 14. The loop 14, as will be seen by referring to Fig. 3, is of substantially the same size and outline, in plan. as the opening 8 in the box, and it is adapted to be projected through said open ing to receive the bar 11. The fact that the head is held against turning with respect to the box by reason of the fit of the loop 14 in opening 8 insures the bar 11 extending transversely of the box in the plane of the apertures 7 so that when the screws 6 are forced upwardly they will engage the bar and bind the parts together, the tendency being to draw the head upwardly and the box down ardly and press the box against the enlargement 12. The box and bar being formed of sheet metal affords a certain amount of resiliency which causes the parts to be placed under tension when the screws 6 are turned up tightly.

The boss 13 is'hollow and is internally threaded for the application of a fixture and should it be found that the fixture when applied does not hang perpendicularly the screws 6 may be adjusted to bring about this end. Also the screws 6 take the place of the usual screws for attaching a cover to the box or for sustaining a fixture supporting strap from which the fixture may be hung in lieu of the installation above referred to wherein the stem of the fixture is connected to the head 10.

The bar 11 has holes 15 for screws or nails 16 used in fastening the bar to joists 17 or other supporting structure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination, an outlet box having in one of its walls an opening that is other than circular, a head within the box having a part on which said wall rests and a part projecting through the opening and fitting the same so as to hold the head against turning with respect to the box, the last mentioned part having a through passageway, a. bar extending through said passageway in spaced relation to the aforesaid wall, and screws threaded through parts of the box on opposite sides of and in substantially transverse alignment with the head and permanently engaging the bar, said screws serving as means for adjusting the box to vary the plane thereof with respect to that of the bar.

2. in combination, an outlet box having in one of its walls a central opening that is other than circular, a head within the box having an enlargement on wnich said wall rests and a loop projecting through the opening and fitting the same so as to hold the head against turning with respect to the box, a bar extending through the loop in spaced relation to the aforesaid Wall, and screws threaded through diametrically opposed parts of the box and permanently engaging the bar, said screws serving as means for adjusting the box to vary the plane thereof with respect to that of the bar.

3. In combination, an outlet box having an oblong opening within its top wall, a head within the box having an enlargement on which said wall rests and a loop extending through said opening and gbeingof a size and shape to fit the same, a bar extending through the loop in spaced relation to the top wall of the box and screws threaded through diametrically opposed parts of the box on opposite sides of and in substantially transverse alignment with the head and gpermanently engaging the bar, said screws servripheral wall, screws threaded through said ears, the top wall having apertures through which said screws may be projected, the longitudinal axis of the aforesaid oblong opening being at substantially right angles to a ,straightline drawn through the axes of said apertures, ahead Within the box having an en l ange nent on which the top Wall of the box rests and a loop extending through the oblong opening and being shaped to fit the same, and a bar extending through the loop in spaced relation to the top wall of the box and adapted to be engaged by the aforesaid screws. 7 r

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature. 7

JOSEPH MORGENSTERN. 

